Mount Semeru Erupts Again This Morning, Eruption Height Reaches Around 1,000 Meters

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted again on Friday (March 20, 2026) at 05:26 WIB. In the past week, Mount Semeru has erupted 42 times.

Based on eruption information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia application, the observed ash column height reached 1,000 meters above the peak (4,676 meters above sea level).

The observed ash column was gray with dense intensity towards the northeast. The eruption of Mount Semeru was still ongoing when this report was made.

(Read: 4.8 M Earthquake Shakes 219 Km East of Levuka,)

According to the MAGMA Indonesia volcanic activity report, Mount Semeru's activity level is at Level III (Alert). Seismic observations on March 20, 2026 from 18:00-23:59 WIB showed 15 eruption/explosion earthquakes with amplitudes of 12-22 millimeters and durations of 87-149 seconds.

Additionally, there were 4 collapse earthquakes with amplitudes of 5-7 mm and durations of 44-81 seconds, as well as 2 emission earthquakes with amplitudes of 4-7 millimeters and durations of 28-33 seconds.

PVMBG advises against any activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, within 13 kilometers of the peak (eruption center). Beyond this distance, residents are advised not to carry out activities within 500 meters of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan due to the potential for hot cloud expansion and lahar flows up to 17 kilometers from the peak.

In 2026, MAGMA Indonesia has recorded 1,096 volcanic eruptions across Indonesia. Mount Semeru in East Java had the most eruptions with 591 events.

(Read: Indonesia Becomes the Most Earthquake-Prone Country in 2025)